SS Robin to move to Trinity Buoy Wharf

Rob Powell Heritage vessels, News

HISTORIC SS Robin looks set to move from her current home in the Royal Docks to Trinity Buoy Wharf. The SS Robin Trust which maintains the steam ship say the relocation of the Robin will secure her long term future. SS Robin is the last surviving British-built steam coaster and is listed on the National Historic Fleet register. She has had previous spells …

Disappointment for HMS President campaigners in Autumn Statement

Staff Writer Heritage vessels, Navy, News

CAMPAIGNERS hoping to HMS President have had their hopes dealt a blow by the Chancellor in his Autumn Statement but say they “won’t give up on her.” A petition asking for the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, to use proceeds from LIBOR fines to bail out the WWI vessel was signed by over 10,000 people. But when details of where the proceeds …

Waverley begins Thames season in 70th anniversary year

Rob Powell Heritage vessels, News

POPULAR paddle steamer Waverley has arrived on the River Thames for her annual season. The last sea-going paddle steamer in the World arrived at Gravesend on Friday afternoon in September sunshine before heading up to Tower Pier that evening. Waverley’s traditional red, white and black twin funnels will again be a familiar sight as she carries out her excursions up and …

Petition and fundraising campaigns launched to save HMS President

Staff Writer Heritage vessels, Navy, News

A PETITION and fundraising campaign have been launched to try and save HMS President – one of three surviving Royal Navy ships from WWI. The ship, which was moored on the Victoria Embankment for over 90 years until she had to move earlier this year, is currently in Chatham Docks facing an uncertain future after the trust that looks after her …

Barge match season gets underway on the Medway

Rob Powell Heritage vessels, News

HISTORIC Thames sailing barges assembled on the River Medway for the first of this year’s match season last Saturday. Ten of the famous barges, some of which are over a hundred years old, took part in the event which saw them race from Gillingham Pier up to Medway Buoy and back again. The 108th Medway Barge Match proved to be …

Gloriana bound for St Katharine Docks after winter storage

Rob Powell Heritage vessels, News

THE QUEEN’s row barge Gloriana has re-entered the Thames after her period of winter storage at the Port of London Authority’s facility at Denton Wharf, Gravesend. She was lowered in to the Thames by the PLA’s 70-tonne capacity boat-lift shortly before midday and then towed up river to St Katharine Docks by the CPBS-owned tug, Mad Dog. The beautiful 29-metre-long vessel will …

Waverley’s Thames season comes to a close

Rob Powell Heritage vessels

THIS year’s Thames season for the paddle steamer Waverley has drawn to a close. The popular vessel finished her trips for this year on Sunday evening before staying overnight at Gravesend. She departed from Gravesend town pier on Monday at midday, bound for home with a stop off at Southampton for fuel. Here are photos from the last day of …

Waverley at Woolwich

Staff Writer Heritage vessels, Passenger Vessels

As the historic paddle steamer Waverley continues her Thames season, here’s some photographs of the famous vessel as she passed Woolwich a few days ago. Recent photographs by OnTheThames.net of Waverley at Tower Bridge were picked up by the Scottish edition of the Sun and have been added to our In The Press page of cuttings. Don’t forget, also, that …